The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has renewed its partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to sensitise intending pilgrims on dangers of drugs trafficking.
The Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, in a statement on Thursday, said the Executive Chairman of the commission, Zikrullah Hassan, made this known when he paid a working visit to the headquarters of NDLEA.
Hassan said that it had been a tradition of the commission to partner with the drug war agency in sensitising pilgrims of the danger in trafficking drugs into Saudi Arabia, whose penalty is death when caught.
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According to him, as the Hajj season is approaching, NAHCON finds it expedient to deepen partnership with NDLEA to intensify monitoring and fortifying luggage of passengers to Saudi Arabia.
“And to double-check them physically while departing to the holy city.”
Hassan expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia would soon lift its ban on entry into the Kingdom for Nigerian Muslims to perform Umrah and hopefully 2022 Hajj.
“By this request, NAHCON intends to leave no stone unturned in its desire to ensure that few miscreants do not cost the Nigerian Muslim citizenry their right for legitimate travel into the Kingdom for Hajj or Umrah.’’
He described the situation as disturbing, adding that even innocent people were implicated in the drug trafficking saga.
Responding, the NDLEA boss, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa agreed with his NAHCON counterpart that indeed the illicit drug menace in Nigeria was ugly.
He decried the situation as worst since those who were supposed to apprehend the criminal trade, were also found complicit in it.
Marwa expressed delight that NAHCON was taking the war against drugs trafficking seriously.
He assured the agency’s readiness to strengthen the partnership and work with the NAHCON both in Nigeria and offshore in Saudi Arabia.
Marwa reiterated that Nigeria was well respected by Saudi Arabia whose high-powered delegation from its drug war agency had visited the Nigerian NDLEA office, to carve out teamwork strategy.
“But for the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries would have signed a Memorandum of Understanding by now on the illegal drug trade war.”
The NDLEA boss promised to collaborate with FAAN in luggage handling and monitoring at the airports.
“This will curtail cases like those of Zainab for whom the story would have been tragic if the Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, who Saudi Arabia has high regard for, had not intervened,” he said. (NAN)
